Kia’s long-range missile
EV6 CROSSOVER CAN TOP 300 MILES PER CHARGE
NEXT year, Kia will launch an electric car called the EV6 GT that will have almost 600bhp, do over 160mph and 0-62mph in 3.5sec. A Kia with Porsche-like performance, but for a lot less money – that’s a car that’s going to grab headlines.
Until then, the Korean firm is offering us a more down-to-earth version of its new EV6, one that might not make quite so many headlines but will give German rivals something to think about.
We’ve already tested Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and liked it a lot, not least for its refreshing styling. This Kia is a close relative of the Hyundai as it uses the same E-GMP platform as well as virtually the same powertrain. The Kia is, however, slightly shorter and has a boot that holds a few less litres. And for some odd reason the battery in the Kia has a usable 77.4kWh against the Hyundai’s 72.6kWh. This battery is used in all versions of the EV6 but you do have a choice between two-wheel and four-wheel drive.
We’ve driven both but we’ll concentrate on the latter in GT Line S trim, which sits above GT Line and the entry-level Air.
The excellent news is that all EV6s have a WLTP range of 300 miles. The rear-wheel-drive model, which has a single 226bhp electric motor at the rear axle, has a range of 328 miles.
The 4x4 model can do 314 miles but our GT Line S version comes on 20in alloy wheels which drop the range down to 300 miles.
Not only do the smaller 19in wheels add range, you get a more comfortable ride too. In real-world conditions you can expect to achieve at least 250 miles.
An 800v architecture on all models allows for impressive charging speeds up to 239kWh.
Find yourself a 350kW unit and you’ll be able to charge the EV6 from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes. We used the Gridserve facility near Stansted Airport to do just that.
Charge from a wallbox at home and you’re looking at 12 hours 30 minutes.
There was a time I could recognise any car from the back at a range of half a mile, but these days many look so similar. Not so this Kia which has very distinctive rear lights.
To my eyes the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the better-looking car but the Kia is still a looker and much more appealing than a Mercedes-Benz EQC or an Audi e-Tron.
Whereas the Hyundai makes use of its flat floor to give an uncluttered area up front, Kia has put a large centre console between the front seats which makes for a more driver-centric environment. The good news is that it can hold lots of oddments. The infotainment screen has crisp graphics and Kia still gives you buttons and switches for key functions.
The EV6 might be a tad smaller inside than the Ioniq 5 but it is still a decent-sized car with ample front and rear legroom, plus a boot that holds 490 litres with the seats up and 1,300 litres with them folded flat.
Also, under the bonnet there’s a ‘frunk’ which holds 20 litres.
The EV6 in AWD form is effortlessly quick and blasts off to 62mph from rest in 5.2sec.
The steering is light, the ride comfortable and the traction coming out of corners immense.
Kia refers to its newcomer as a sports crossover which its shape and performance back up. But to drive the EV6 quickly on country lanes, which we did during the launch event in Suffolk, is not enjoyable.
The car is just too big and the SUV-like high driving position makes you feel a bit remote from the road. It’s for this reason that I’d be more than happy with the cheaper two-wheel drive version and its bonus of a longer range.
Our test car costs £51,945 but in two-wheel-drive form in GT Line trim it costs £43,895.
That would be our choice.
■ Subaru has announced the first fully electric car that it will launch around the world next year.
Technical details are rather sparse but we do know the Solterra, as it will be called, will have four-wheel drive. This means it’s more than likely to have two electric motors, one on each axle.
The Solterra is a joint project with Toyota, though how much it will share with a Toyota version, particularly the styling, remains to be seen.